Pentagon chief says US seeking 'good deal' with Taliban

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US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Saturday that while it was seeking a political agreement with the Taliban, Washington would not accept just any deal.

“The United States’ view is that the best way forward is a political agreement and that (is what) we’re working diligently on right now, that doesn’t mean we’ll take any deal,” Esper said during a press conference in Paris with his French counterpart.

“We will make sure we have a good deal, a good enough deal that guarantees at least the security of our countries going forward and a brighter path ahead for the Afghan people.”

The comments come after US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said this week that he had reached an agreement in principle with the Taliban following nine rounds of talks with the group.

Based on the agreement, the US would withdraw thousands of troops in coming months in exchange for Taliban commitment not to allow terrorist groups to attack US and its allies.